Page 60 of The Secret to a Southern Wedding

“Oh, who’s playing tonight?”

“A local cover band called Joi, with an i and not a y.”

Her eyes widened. That was a name she hadn’t heard or thought of in years, but which brought her immediate pleasure. “Wait, Joi is still together?”

He put down the glass in his hand. “Don’t tell me you’ve heard of them?”

She nodded. “Yeah, they formed when I was in high school. If it’s the same group I’m thinking of. Joey, Oliver, Ivan and Contessa?” The cover band used to play at parties and even during the prom her senior year.

Cyril raised his brows. “Everyone except for Contessa. The new singer’s name is Octavia.”

“I can’t believe they’re still together. Or that they still live around here. The last I heard all of them went to college in other places.”

“From what I’ve heard they did go off but regrouped several years ago. They all work full-time jobs but get together to play gigs in Peachtree Cove and the surrounding areas.”

Imani smiled imagining seeing the group again. The members of Joi had been part of some of her good memories after what happened with her dad. Whenever she, Halle and Tracey attended a party where they played, she was able to lose herself in the music and dance for a few hours. “That’s fantastic. It was their dream to keep the band going and they’re still doing it. I admire people who can still live their dream.”

“You’re doing that. You said you always wanted to be a doctor and look at you. You’re doctor of the year.”

She sighed thinking about the phone call from her supervisor earlier that day. They wanted her back as soon as possible. Honestly, Imani hadn’t expected to be gone this long. She thought she’d end the wedding and be back at the hospital in a week at the most. Not that she’d be conflicted about encouraging her mom to call things off. Or that she’d enjoy being in Peachtree Cove. “Yeah.”

He raised a brow. “What’s wrong?”

She leaned her elbows against the bar and shrugged. “You know how I feel about the doctor of the year thing. I get what you’re saying about using my title to make change, which I will do, but after what happened with Kaden earlier this week, I feel like I could be doing more. That I could be making a bigger difference instead of being a box someone checked.”

“Then figure out what that looks like for you and do it. I never believed I’d own my own bar, but here I am.” He spread out his arms and proudly gazed around the room.

“You always make it sound so easy.”

“Getting to your goals may not be easy but making the decision to chase them shouldn’t be that hard. You deserve to be happy, Imani. Do what makes you happy.”

Again, his words were spoken simply, but the emotion behind them pulled at her heart. She could see in his dark eyes that he meant them. That he wanted her to be happy. That he cared about her happiness. The resistance to opening herself to Cyril wavered. The need to believe in the look in his eyes called to something deep and neglected inside of her. She’d rejected affection and care from others for so long because she hadn’t trusted it. Why did Cyril make her feel differently?

Joshua walked up and broke the moment. “What’s up, Imani?”

Imani blinked and broke eye contact with Cyril. She smiled at Joshua, grateful for the interruption. She needed more time to process her thoughts. “Hey, Joshua. I’m meeting Tracey and Halle here. I was going to try and snatch a table before it got too crowded.”

Joshua pointed to one of the tables in the back corner. “Get that one. Good view of the bar and the music but not near the line for the bathroom.”

“I’m on it.” She looked at Cyril. “Will you bring me that beer I liked before?”

“Most definitely.”

Halle and Tracey came in the door. Imani waved at them then pointed to the table Joshua suggested. She met them at the table, and after hugging, Halle and Tracey ordered their drinks before they settled into their seats.

Joshua brought over their beers then left. Halle took a long sip then let out a sigh. “I need this and a few more.”

“It must’ve been one hell of a day for you to meet us in your work clothes?” Imani said eyeing her friend. Halle’s thick, curly hair was pulled back in a knot but several strands were loose around her face. She wore a gold polo shirt with the school district’s logo on the breast pocket. When they’d met before, Halle insisted on going home to change before coming out because she never drank “in uniform,” meaning when she had on something representing the school district.

Tracey raised a brow. “Didn’t you have the day off today?”

Halle sighed and leaned back in her chair. “The kids didn’t have school, but I was working. District meeting with the superintendent and giving a report on our school’s progress. The academics are good, but you know what he focused on?”

“What?” Tracey asked.

“The regional football match between Peachtree Cove High and Peach Valley. Like, are you serious? You’re going to gloss over academics and worry about a football game with a school that isn’t even in our district much less our state?”

Tracey held up a finger. “They may not be in our district, but you know how serious the rivalry goes with Peach Valley. We haven’t won that game in six years. Coach Q better come with something. They didn’t hire him just because he looks good.”

---